French Navy to increase inter-operability with the Indian Navy

Mumbai, Apr30 (UNI) Rear Admiral Jacques Launay, Flag Officer Commanding French Forces in the Indian Ocean Region (IOR), today said next level of joint exercises with the Indian Navy would include a French 'attack nuclear submarine'.

Addressing mediapersons onboard the French Flag Ship VAR at the Mumbai coast, Rear Admiral Launay said relations between the two navies have grown stronger in terms of inter-operability and readiness in the last three years after a series of joint excercises.

He said the French Navy is always ready to promote maritime security-based cooperation and relation with countries that welcome and receive the French forces.

The Rear Admiral said French forces operate in the IOR from its bases in Djibouti and the Reunion Islands through a task force comprising soldiers, aviators and naval personnels.

Declining to confirm a timetable for the joint excercises, he said joint excercises are held only after careful study and discussions on areas, where both navies have yet to explore.

Replying to a query, Rear Admiral Launay said that French forces stationed in the Persian Gulf are undertaking joint excersises with the US, UK, Bahrain and Saudi Navies in the area of mine warfare.

Flag Ship VAR is a replenishment and communciation warship of the French Navy stationed in the IOR to overlook French maritime opeartions and security readyness in the region.

FS VAR is specifically equipped for communication and logisticial support for the French Flag Officer Commanding the French Forces in the IOR.

UNI